Become a Member: Get Ad-Free Access to All Our Content

1956 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Speciale

In 1956 Ferrari commissioned Pinin Farina to make a show car on the upcoming 250 GT chassis and specifically chassis 0425GT. The subsequent design went on the shape the famous 14-louvre Tour de France Berlinetta which won the namesake event outright in 1957.

Being the first of it’s kind, 0425GT features many one of a kind appointments including it’s oval egg crate grill, recessed headlight trim, rear tail fins with integrated lights, oversize 4-louvre vents on the fenders and a fastback design that Ferrari used on their competition cars which Ford later copied on the Mustang.

Inside 0425GT is completely unique with a custom dashboard having a central Jaeger chronometer. Infront of the passenger is an outside temperature and altimeter gauges that reside in the glove box door.

0425GT was first seen on the Pinin Farina stand at the 1956 Geneva Motor Show. It was originally offered by Enrico Wax, and later sold to the USA. In original but derelict condition by Ed Niles in a trailer park in Murietta, California. It was sold to Walt McCune and restored by Modena Sport Cars back to its original Metallic Gray paint with Pall Mall Red interior. It was displayed this way at the 1989 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

For years it was subsequently used by an owner who removed the front grill and bumpers to unsuccessfully clean up the car’s appearance. In 2012 it was sold to Lee & Joan Herrington who had Mark Allin of Rare Drive Inc in New Hampshire restore it. The result was good for first place in the Class M-1: Ferrari Grand Touring class at the 2013 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Speciale Gallery

See full 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Speciale Gallery here

v1956 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Speciale 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Speciale 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Speciale

Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Speciale Specs & Performance

type Concept / Prototype Car
built at Maranello, Italy
body stylist Pinin Farina
coachbuilder Pinin Farina
production 1
successor 1956 Ferrari 250 GT ‘Tour de France’ 14-Louvre
engine Tipo 128C 60º V12
position Front Longitudinal
aspiration Natural
block material Silicon Aluminum Alloy
valvetrain SOHC, 2 Valves per Cyl
fuel feed Triple Weber 36DCL3
displacement 2953 cc / 180.2 in³
bore 73 mm / 2.87 in
stroke 58.8 mm / 2.31 in
compression 9.2:1
engine designer Gioacchino Colombo
power 186.4 kw / 240 bhp @ 7000 rpm
specific output 81.27 bhp per litre
bhp/weight 224.3 bhp per tonne
redline 7500
body / frame Aluminum Body over Tipo 508 Tubular Frame
driven wheels RWD w/LSD
wheel type Borrani RW3077 Wires
front tires 6.00×16
rear tires 6.00×16
front brakes Aluminum Drums w/ Hydraulic Assist
rear brakes Unassisted Aluminum Drums
front wheels F 40.6 x 12.7 cm / 16 x 5 in
rear wheels R 40.6 x 12.7 cm / 16 x 5 in
f suspension Double Wishbones w/Coil Springs
r suspension Live Axle w/Longitudinal Half-Elliptic Springs, Lower Rods
curb weight 1070 kg / 2359 lbs
wheelbase 2600 mm / 102.36 in
front track 1354 mm / 53.3 in
rear track 1349 mm / 53.1 in
transmission 4-Speed Manual
tran clutch Multi-Disc
gear ratios 2.48:1, 1.64:1, 1.231:1, 1.000:1
top speed ~241.4 kph / 150.0 mph
0 – 60 mph ~5.2 seconds